Author Archives: greatchicago

The Chicago White Sox were established back in 1901 as the Chicago White Stockings. Over the years, the club has made nine playoff appearances, won six pennant, and three MLB World Series titles. This team has a history of coming out of nowhere and surprising people. That is why they are a pretty popular choice with the free MLB picks released by the expert handicappers that I follow. The list of All-Time Chicago White Sox lineup taken from the most illustrious season a player has had reads as follows:

Carlton Fisk: Catcher

Year: 1983
Season stats: .289, 86 RBI, 26 HR & .874 OPS
Backup: Sherm Lollar
Fisk played for the Chicago White Sox well into his 40’s, but his best years for the club was when he was in his mid 30’s. He is fondly remembered for his memorable homers in game 6 of the 1975 World Series.

Frank Thomas: First baseman

Year: 1994
Season stats: .353, 101 RBI, 38 HR & 1.217 OPS
Backup: Dick Allen
Thomas had his based season with Chicago White Sox in 1994 when he hit 38 homers and 101 runs in 113 games. His accolades during the year included AL MVP.

Jermaine Terrell Dye: Right Fielder

Year: 2006
Season stats: .315, 120 RBI, 44 HR & 1.006 OPS
Backup: Maggio Ordonez
Dye witnessed a meteoric rise in his game in 2006, thereafter ending up as one of the best right fielders in the club’s history. He was ranked 5th in the MVP voting of 2016, after leading the White Sox to the World Series in 2005.

Shoeless Joe Jackson: Left Fielder

Year: 1920
Season stats: .382, 121 RBI, 12 HR & 1.033 OPS
Backup: Albert Belle (Hall of fame talent)
Jackson had his best season at Chicago White Sox in 1920 after the thrown World Series; however, his career was short-lived when he was banned for after implication in the infamous Black Sox scandal.

Robert Thomas Thigpen: Closer

Year: 1990
Season stats: 4-6, 1.83 ERA, 88.2 IP, 57 saves, 70ks, 60H & 1.038 WHIP
Backup: Hoyt Wilhelm
During Thigpen’s high flying season in 1990, he held the single largest saves record for 18 years. His accomplishments also made him one of the top closers in the early 90’s

Carl Reynolds: Center Fielder

Year: 1930
Season stats: .259; 104 RBI; 22 HR & .973 OPS
Backup: Chet Lemon (Top center fielder in the 70’s and 80’s and 3-time All Star fielder)
Reynolds achieved no mean feat during his years of play at the Chicago White Sox; he is best remembered for his over .300 hits and a .302 career average in 13 seasons. His career highs were all recorded in 1930’s

Luke Appling: Shortstop

Year: 1936
Season stats: .388; 128 RBI; 6HR & .981 OPS
Backup Luis Aparicio (Hall of Famer and one of the greatest shortstops in history)
Appling is undoubtedly one of the top shortstops of all time and especially in the history of the Chicago White Sox. In 1936, his .388 season stood as the highest of any shortstop player in baseball history.

Robin Ventura: Third baseman

Year: 1996
Season stats: .287; 105 RBI; 34 HR & .888 OPS
Backup: Al Smith (2 times All-Star)
Ventura was one of the best third baseman in the club’s history. His resourcefulness in the field of play led to his appointment as team manager before the start of the 2012 season. Ventura’s accolades include 6 Gold Glove at third base.

James Howard Thome: Designated hitter

Year: 2006
Season stats: .288; 109 RBI, 42 HR and 1.014 OPS
Backup: Oscar Gamble
James was one of the most outstanding designated hitters at White Sox in 2006. His high ratings helped him appear in the All-Time lineups of both Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins.

Who are the best players of the Chicago Bulls to have ever graced the court? Today, that is exactly what we will discuss in what is my selection of the best top five players of all time for the Chicago Bulls.

The Greatest of All Time

For once, this title is not going to be in reference to the late-Muhammed Ali, however, is going to help us refer to our new list of Chicago greats.

First, on our list is B.J. Armstrong he was drafted 18th in the 1989 draft, and played back up for three season before joining the Jordan-led five men squad. B.J. helped win three NBA titles for the Bulls, and was voted to the 1994 All-Star Game. This work and effort secures him are first spot for our first greatest.

John Paxson, who never made an All-Star Game appearance in any of his career, was a huge performer for the Bulls during his tenure. Paxson was brutal at making the 3-pt shot, and doing so in the clutch right when the Bulls needed it. Without Paxson, their ability to make the 1991-1993 title wins would have been a lot harder, if not impossible.

The next person to make this list should be of no surprise to anyone, and is none other than Scottie Pippen. The all-star who I will go as far as to say he was Robin to Jordan’s Batman, and the Jordan legacy may have worked out differently. Pippen became a clutch player that through his efforts allowed the Bulls to capture six NBA titles. In addition, Scottie was a seven-time All-Star forward.

Norm Van Lier makes our list at number four after being drafted and immediately traded in 1969, and then re-joining the team two years later. As a member of the Bulls, Van Lier, would be selected to three NBA All-Star Games. In addition, he is currently third on the list for assists and steals, as he is right behind Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen.

Finally, to round out this list of the top five of all time, is Michael Jordan. Beginning in his rookie year, Jordan averaged 28 points per game, and assisted in leading the team to six of their NBA titles. In addition, Jordan won the regular season MVP an astounding five times, a six-time winner of the finals MVP, and was selected to 12 All-Star team appearances. All of these reasons made Michael Jordan’s selection to this list an easy, no thinking required addition.

Conclusion

Not all of the players that made this list and even those greats that all have worked hard to set the bar to an incredible height for the current Bulls organization. Jordan, Pippen, and Armstrong new how to use each other’s talents in order to add value, excitement, and power to the whole Bulls team.

The Chicago Bears might have only improved by one game in 2016, going from 5-11 to 6-10. However, there were positive signs to be taken from a losing season such as the growth and development of Jay Cutler, as he cut down on his turnovers, specifically interceptions. They also finally got over the hunch of beating Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving while also almost beating the Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos as well.

John Fox is also known as a coach that can turn around football programs in their second year with a strong defense and powerful running game. You mix that in with a relatively easy schedule on paper, the Bears should improved. Is it enough for postseason play for the first time since 2010, however?

The Bears will also basically get two first-round picks since Wide Receiver Kevin White missed all of last year with an injury and they added pass rusher Leonard Floyd in this year’s draft. As far as free agency, they have added two inside linebackers in Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan. This was an area of weakness for the Bears last year, and they are hoping these moves will improve this position. They still need some help in the secondary as that appears to be a weakness.

They were able to keep Alshon Jeffery on the franchise tag for another year, but can they get a long-term done deal done? Let’s take a look at their season and make some early predictions.

Week 1: at Houston Texans Sun., Sept. 11 at 12 p.m.

The Bears are known to do well when it comes to openers. Against a young and semi-inexperienced QB in Brock Osweiler, I expect the Bears to come out and surprise people.

Win

Week 2: Philadelphia Eagles Mon., Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

The Bears are catching Philadelphia at a good time, as they have a new head coach and a lot of question marks and changes. The Bears go 2-0 and people are really talking.

Win

Week 3: at Dallas Cowboys Mon., Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

If Dallas is the Dallas of 2014, I expect them to win, as they will have a healthy Romo, Dez, and a new rooking running back. This is the first loss of the season for the Bears.

Loss

Week 4: Detroit Lions Sun., Oct. 2 at 12 p.m.

Without Calvin Johnson, the infamous Bears-killer, I don’t see the Lions winning seven in a row against the Bears.

Win

Week 5: at Indianapolis Colts Sun., Oct. 9 at 12 p.m.

Andrew Luck has a new contract and plenty of weapons around him. If this game was played in Chicago, I might feel differently. Luck pulls it out in the fourth.

Loss

Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars Sun., Oct. 16 at 12 p.m.

At home, I see the Bears winning a close game against an improved Jaguars team.

Win

Week 7: at Green Bay Packers Thurs., Oct. 20 at 7:25 p.m.

Don’t think Green Bay has forgotten about Thanksgiving. They will be out for revenge.

Loss

Week 8: Minnesota Vikings Mon., Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m.

The Vikings seem to be a team on the rise. The Bears are as well, but they are not quite on the level of the Vikings yet.

Loss

Here is how the rest of the season plays out after their week 9 bye week:

Catcher-Gabby Hartnett
The Cubs greatest catcher is Gabby Hartnett, who represented the Cubs in the first six All-Start Games. His career with the Cubs spanned 19 years, from 1922 to 1940. He is the 1935 National League MVP and has 1,867 hits, 231 home runs, and 1,153 RBI. Gabby was the catcher when Babe Ruth infamously called his shot in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series.

First Base-Mark Grace
For first base, it’s Mark Grace hands down. During the ‘steroid era’ of the 1990’s, went unscathed, quietly putting up impressive numbers with 2201 base hits, 308 batting average, four Gold Glove awards and three All-Star appearances with the Cubs.

Second Base-Ryan Sandberg
It’s unanimous, Ryan Sandberg is the Cubbies all-time second baseman and easily considered one of the best in MLB history. He’s the cornerstone of the 1980’s and 1990’s Cubs. Ryne Sandberg’s fielding earned him nine consecutive Gold Glove awards from ‘1983-1991’ and represented the Cubs in the Summer Classic ten times from 1984-1991.

Third Base-Ron Santo
Spending 14 seasons with the Cubs, there’s no doubt about Ron Santo as the Cubs all-time third baseman, and one of the best in all of Major League baseball history. Ron Santo knocked 342 homers out of the park, batted 2,254 hits, with 1131 RBI’s, and a career 277 batting average. It was not only until his passing, in 2010, did Ron Santo earn the respect of the Hall of Fame’s Veteran’s Committee, and entered the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Shortstop-Ernie Banks
Affectionately known as “Mr. Cub”, Ernie Banks played shortstop with an undeniable enthusiasm that won the hearts of Cubs, since his pro his debut on September 17, 1953. In his 18 seasons with the Cubs before retiring in 1971 season, Banks belted 512 home runs, 1,636 RBI’s, and entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. His is the first African-American to play for the Cubs.

Outfield-Hack Wilson
One of the best hitting Cub outfielders, Hack Wilson’s six-year tenure is nothing less than stellar. His batting average is .331, with 142 RBI’s, and 35 home runs. He entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979 by the Hall of Fame’s Veteran’s Committee.

Outfield-Phil Cavarretta
Signed by the Cubs while still attending Northside High School in Chicago, Phil Cavarretta played 20 seasons for the Cubs. He played in three Worlds Series, his first at age 18 in 1935, as well as 1938 and 1945. Phil Cavarretta represented the Cubs in the 1945 All-Star Game, becoming the first player in MLB history to reach base five times.

Outfield-Billy Williams
Considered by many as the best of all the Cubs outfielders, Billy Williams career spanned 16 years. He’s the 1961 National League Rookie of the Year, though seeing limited action in 1959 and 1960. All-Star representative for the Cubs six times, Billy Williams entered the Hall of Fame in 1987. His numbers with Cubs were quite impressive, with a batting average of .296, 392 home runs, and 2,510 hits.

Pitcher-Ferguson Jenkins
Acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in 1966 Ferguson Jenkins, pitched for six seasons for the Cubs, until 1972 and for the 1982 and 1983 seasons. He has 167 career victories for the Cubs and six 20+ win seasons and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1991.